April 25, 2022 --- Costa Coffee will launch a trial of 100% fiber lids for take-out cups in 150 stores across the UK. The lids are made from renewable plant-based materials and are fully recyclable. If successful, the UK's largest coffee chain will launch the new lids in early 2023.
They will be available in small, medium and large takeaway cup sizes and will have a carbon footprint up to 50% lower than current polystyrene plastic lids.
As part of an ongoing effort to reduce its environmental impact, Costa Coffee switched the lining of its take-out cups from oil-based plastic to plant-based plastic last year.
After recycling, the new cups have a 26% lower carbon footprint than Costa Coffee's previous take-out cups.
The trial of the new fiber lid will mean that those consumers who opt for a takeaway cup can enjoy their favorite Costa coffee in a 100% plant-based package.
Cutting carbon emissions
The trial comes just one month after Costa Coffee pledged to cut carbon emissions per serving in half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040. After testing and development in a controlled environment, the coffee chain will gather feedback from "real" consumers and store team members about the new lids, including the look and feel.
The lids will also be trialed on selected Costa Express machines this summer.
"Goals require action, and today's announcement is another positive step in the right direction to help improve one-time options for coffee lovers," said Deb Caldow, director of global branding and sustainability for Costa Coffee.
"We are working simultaneously on three key areas within our packaging - reuse, reduce, recycle. Our goal is to encourage consumers to adapt to reuse on a regular basis by offering a reusable 'rent-a-cup' program and rewarding those who choose to reuse through an enhanced loyalty program."
To achieve these carbon reduction goals, Caldow explains that companies must approach the process from "all angles.
"Constantly improving the selection of disposable materials and maximizing the collection and recycling of cups are all parallel priorities. Last year, we launched takeaway cups made from 100 percent plant-based materials in key markets around the world, and we plan to continue to improve the iconic Costa coffee cup," she said.
"We are now focusing on disposable lids, moving from polystyrene plastic lids to new fiber lids that are [environmentally] sustainably sourced, made from renewable materials and fully recyclable."
"We believe the trial will show us that consumers are ready to move from plastic to fibre and that as the UK's most popular and largest coffee chain, we can make a huge difference in reducing the amount and impact of single use, oil-based plastics, on the environment."
"We hope other brands will join us in providing consumers with simple ways to make more [environmentally] sustainable choices when enjoying their daily coffee."
In related news, fast-food restaurant Max Burgers will launch the fiber coffee lid "Liplid", made with PulPac's fiber molding technology, in all of its restaurants in Sweden this year. Liplid is a dry-molded fiber cap that reduces CO2 emissions by 80% compared to cap alternatives.
Reuse test extension
Also leading the way in reuse, Costa Coffee recently expanded its UK trial of its blockchain-powered reusable cup program BURT (Borrow, Use, Reuse, Take Back), which allows consumers to borrow ("rent") reusable cups for takeaway and return them on their next visit.
The company also relaunched their loyalty program last year by introducing "green beans" that put environmental sustainability considerations at the forefront. The program now rewards consumers with free drinks after four purchases using reusable cups, compared to eight purchases in take-out cups.
In the meantime, Costa Coffee says its goal of halving emissions per serving by 2030 has been approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative - an internationally recognized partnership between CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and WWF.
Costa Coffee emphasizes that it is also one of the first brands to sign on to the British Retail Consortium's Climate Action Roadmap, continuing to lead and participate in external industry alliances.
